Mother’s Day: Short on gift ideas that won’t break the bank?

Mom’s special day is now here. It’s the day when we express gratitude and love for our mothers and make them feel extra-special. If you haven’t planned a gift for her yet, then today would be a good day.

Mother’s Day date in Malaysia

Mother's Day is celebrated on different dates in different countries. Most countries celebrate Mother's Day on the second Sunday in the month of May. In Malaysia, we celebrate it on this Sunday, 9 May 2010.

Short on ideas?

Choosing the best gift for mom is an annual affair that I personally think gets tougher every year. One has to think of a gift that is personalized, desirable, and importantly from the heart that would make mom shed happy tears, but at the same time won’t break the bank.

There are many choices from jewelries, handbags, perfumes, hamper baskets, chocolates, watches, cakes, mobile phones (and their accessories), religious products, kitchen or table ware, gift vouchers, cards, poems to plane tickets.

But many fail to spot what may be the simplest and most convenient way to win mom’s heart is by giving her a bouquet of roses.

The world’s best flower always is perfect for world’s greatest moms.

Roses for Mother’s Day aren’t as expensive as on Valentine’s Day anyway. They can be made into a bouquet or given out in a decorative vase, basket or art piece your mom can enjoy.

Roses are easy to get hold of and just the right thing if your mom lives far away from you as there are plenty of florists with delivery service around.

However, if you wish to add a bit of originality to your gift, you may want to give her a rose tree instead. A rose tree will last and bloom longer than a bouquet of roses. Its container can be wrapped and decorated nicely with wrapping papers and ribbons.

Gift of Time

If straight from the shelf is not your game plan this year, there are few things you can do that will make your mom feel happy nonetheless.

Personally, there’s no better gift to give your mom than the gift of Time! Here are my ideas to share:

You can:

• Clean up your mom’s junks she’s been keeping for years. She may not have the strength, time or ability to do so herself. Pick a spot - her house, garage, store room or wherever to tidy up, while she heads for a day off. 
• Care for her plants/pets for a set period of time, so she can have more time for herself 
• Cook for her and have a nice family dinner 
• Re-decorate her lawn or yard or any part of her house. Example; Do a makeover of her garden and put in your own touch that will remind her of you every time she steps into her garden.You can add items such as wind chimes, colorful pots, lanterns, candles, new garden bench, new plants or trees, stepping stones, or anything at all (but don’t forget to personalize these by engraving loving poem/words dedicated to her. You’ll be glad you did!) 
• Make a date with her. Instead of having a gift delivered to her doorstep, make it a point to visit her. There's no better present than spending some quality time with your mom.